(CNN) - A flaring furnace blasts another wave of searing heat on the faces of workers hauling bricks under a southern Indian sun.

They work up to 22 hours a day propping heavy stacks of bricks on their heads. None expects to be paid for this labor. None knows how long they'll be kept here. Some are as young as three years old.

Manoj Singh was one of 149 people rescued this year from a brick kiln outside Hyderabad, India. Like millions of other Indians, the toddler was born into extreme poverty.

When CNN correspondent Mallika Kapur visited Manoj's family, now back home, he and the some of the 34 other children freed, showed her how they would make the bricks from wet clay.

"They recall from their muscle memory," says Anu George Canjanathoppil, of International Justice Mission, a non-profit dedicated to eradicating slavery around the world. "So if you ask them to explain what they did, they cannot say."

Older laborers, however, had plenty to say.

Pregnant woman kicked

According to reports from IJM investigators at the scene, one pregnant woman claimed she was kicked by her manager, when she pleaded for rest. A man had raw wounds so deep that the bone showed through.

The workers' grueling schedule permitted little time for eating. After being freed and having a full meal, many of the malnourished workers vomited.

"We had to work 18 to 22 hours a day," Manoj's father, Lucky Singh, told Kapur. "We didn't get time to eat or to bathe. One day, I dozed off. Then the boss came and beat me with a stick."

Lucky says he ended up at the kiln because he was desperate to provide for his impoverished family.

When a recruiter came to his small village in Odisha state in eastern India, near the Bay of Bengal, he willingly went on the promise of a $400 advance, which became a $400 debt - and they were locked into working to try to pay it off. They couldn't leave without permission and wouldn't be told when, or if, they could ever pay off their debt.

Bonded labor in India is the most prevalent form of slavery in the world today. It was declared illegal in India in 1976 but persists. A vast majority of India's workers scrape together a meager living through informal, unregulated work contracts, making them more susceptible to unsafe working environments and exploitation.

Illegal yet widespread problem

The CNN Freedom Project has worked for more than two years, taking aim at this illegal yet widespread practice and questioning the Indian government about its efforts to crack down on these human rights violations.

Months before, correspondent Sara Sidner filmed a three-part series showing the process for bringing entire villages out of slavery. When she asked the supervisor of a brick kiln factory to explain his use of bonded labor and why none of the workers was receiving a wage, he asked her to pay him for his answer.

At its core, slavery today exists for two reasons: greed and desperation. It's greed on the part of landowners and illegal recruiters. And its desperation for the tens of millions of people who are willing to take a risk to improve their lives, no matter how long the odds.

"Although we can't solve all the challenges of poverty or poverty itself, we can change the mindset," says Saju Mathew, the director of operations for International Justice Mission in South Asia.

"We can equip these people to know the law and their rights and to be able to identify when traps like this are laid for them. 90 to 95% of the people we have rescued are not returning back into bondage. They learn to make a livelihood in freedom."

Newly freed laborers

Working alongside the Indian government, International Justice Mission has carried out dozens of raids in the past six years. More than 3,200 people have been freed as a result.

Newly emancipated laborers are returned to their home villages, where they receive two years of community-based training and education, where they learn their rights and make plans for building sustainable businesses.

In addition, the government also provides them with 20,000 rupees, ($400) in restitution money, so they may begin to create a new life, far from the grip of illegal agents.

"For me, these are encouraging signs the government is taking proactive measures to address a very big problem. That's a shift," says Mathew. "There's been such a culture of denial, but now there is a real movement among the government officials to take on something big and confront it."

And that is all the millions of Indians like Manoj and his father would ask for.

soundoff(349 Responses)

Rajat

Its a true story of how people are living and being exploited. Appreciate the work that some of your team has done.
A small step by people can change the lives of so many people who are exploited. one of the main reason is education..

I agree, I would rather know off the problem then to bury my head in the sand!! many are in denial!!
Good job CNN the world needs to know.
The government of India needs to wake up this is 21st century, they need to take action and no more excuses!!!!
The Corruption needs to go!!! or change the Government!!!

yeah! we should never poke our nose into others business, no matter how dirty or immoral. It does not matter how outrageous or exploitative the behavior is we should turn and look the other way. you should be ashamed of yourself for saying such things. You would feel better if you had simply kept your thoughts to yourself.

March 20, 2013 at 8:28 am |

John Kon

Why don' t CNN report on the crimes committed by CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES in INDIA. These organized
criminals, big brother and pope and forced conversions of HINDUS,BUDDISTS into Christians. Why Don't you expose
these so called missionaries in the name charity they are engaged in treasonous conversions. These guys exercised
brutality on Africans and refuse to cooperate with an African president and they go to INDIA and say Hindu in doing to you. What a double standard F* Heads.

March 20, 2013 at 8:47 am |

john

Nik...you are a troll .

March 20, 2013 at 8:48 am |

Chas

We could keep our noses out by refusing H-1B visas and not building companies there to outsource US jobs, THAT would be a major way to get India's attention!

March 20, 2013 at 8:55 am |

John

You right, America has the biggest prison population mankind has ever seen in human history including children in prison and we are sticking our noses in other peoples business like we don't have our own problems.

March 20, 2013 at 9:04 am |

Skeptimist

If the well being of the defenseless – especially children – is not our business, then we are damned.

March 20, 2013 at 9:09 am |

sukit

We'll stop sticking our nose in when you stop moving in, go on now and get back to brown country.

March 20, 2013 at 9:15 am |

Ravi

Nikhil, it is clowns like you that help perpetrate the slavery that goes on in India. You are a bad excuse for a human being to condone the exploitation of human beings that goes on in India.

March 20, 2013 at 9:28 am |

DisgustedinVA

You are one of the most ignorant person I've seen make comments, EVER.

March 20, 2013 at 9:55 am |

Dehya

You are so primitive. Yes, no country including the US has an unblemished record. Heck folks are just now learning about genocide committed by the Russians in their Eastern expansion. However, when so many have moved to address their basic human rights issues, then they are perfectly in the right to point fingers at others. We certainly need to the continued fingerpointing to air these. i suspect that you are one of those bigoted types who really think the Dalits are subhumans cast off by the great god Krishna or whomever

March 20, 2013 at 10:16 am |

blue_doodles

Nikhil: I am from India and am ashamed of the things you are saying. Shining a light on such issues is the ONLY way we'll ever get around to addressing them. Yes, India has a lot of problems but denying them or ignoring them won't make them go away. I am flabbergasted that the fact that what offends you is not that bonded labor exists in India but the fact that CNN covered this story. Unreal.

March 20, 2013 at 10:22 am |

CitizenJP

India must reform itself from ground level up starting with its twisted social views with which children grow up.

– Be respectful not just to women but to everyone around you. Indian society loves to look at people as superior or inferior and loves to look down upon people that are perceived by them to be doing a lesser job. There is a serious lack of respect in the entire culture. How men view women in India is a result of this lack of respect. Again teach the kids and walk the walk for them to emulate.
– Take pride being honest and ethical. In India corrupt individuals get more social prestige where as the honest ones are looked as losers. Teach the right thing and walk the walk for others to emulate.

Clean up the dirt that is hiding the efflulgent spiritual gem that is India and let it be a beacon to the world.

March 20, 2013 at 10:37 am |

Lakshmi

I think you are not an INDIAN. You just wrinting on Indian name to create more damage. No Indian will agree with you. Every Indian knows we have our problems. We are trying to come out of these to show our heads up.

March 20, 2013 at 10:50 am |

jag

You are really stupid and a big MORON and you should be ashamed of your self to represent India, People like you are the cancer and the downfall of India.

March 20, 2013 at 11:30 am |

jag

Don't poke your nose?? every post you keep writing the same thing!!
You are really stupid and a big MORON and you should be ashamed of your self to represent India, People like you are the cancer and the downfall of India.

March 20, 2013 at 11:45 am |

i.plat

Yes maybe we should keep our noses out but at the same time we allow our multibillion dollar companies to stick their noses in for their profit as they send our jobs to Indian to pay less wages.... how many jobs have we lost to India.. I worked for a Company that sent over 5k jobs over there and our government allowed it.. leaving people here unemployed facing foreclosures etc to support a country that has slaery, child labor and gang rapist.. your figure it out..our government helps those more than they do here to their citizens.

March 20, 2013 at 12:50 pm |

Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son

This isn’t some isolated incident or a slavery problem.. this is a culture problem. So unless you plan on forcing other cultures to change you are wasting your time.

why do you need to change other cultures? white man's burden? huh....dont poke nose into others business

March 20, 2013 at 8:20 am |

Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son

@nikhil
For one.. I’m not white. Secondly I didn’t suggest that we should change them.. only that we would have to, to stop this behavior. I’ve read a number of your posts and you are a sleazebag for defending slavery and rape. It’s no wonder you don’t want people looking at what you’re doing. Besides… you are being a hypocrite by telling others to mind their own business while here you are sticking your nose into their comments.

March 20, 2013 at 8:25 am |

nikhil

@rw ...you have loads of shi! to clear in your own home country....so spend time doing that.. we dont poke nose into your home..neither shall you.....

March 20, 2013 at 8:35 am |

rw

It is a waist of time to shine a light on people who are behaving outrageously? I disagree.

March 20, 2013 at 8:35 am |

nikhil

mr tom...if you poke your nose then it will be observed and i will have to reply to your comments!!!! just stop making assumptions about other cultures and " we have to stop this..stop that"......its our problem and we will do it...we dont need anyone from outside to come and stop!! ok?

March 20, 2013 at 8:37 am |

OpenMinded

@nikhil – What you are showing is that you are most likely a culprite of these acts. It is unfortunate that slavery still exists. The sad part is most people are not aware of it until they see movies such as Slumdog Millionaire or Taken. Human traffiking is not soley in India, but is a global problem. We should all be concerned for these actions as they affect more than just the person who is trapped.

March 20, 2013 at 9:05 am |

cedar rapids

'its our problem and we will do it...we dont need anyone from outside to come and stop!! ok?'

Its been illegal since 1976 and still goes on on a vast scale.....you clearly do need help to stop it.

March 20, 2013 at 9:13 am |

Mike

This is really a statement for the story. I have a friend that is from Amritsar and she always was talking about how great it is in her city with the Golden Temple and all of these people driving nice cars and having a great time. I am aware that not all of India is like that. Not even the US is like this. But I am glad to see that the people were freed from the acts of slavery that were around the area. We here in America also have problems although not as severe as in some other countries just wanted to say good job for those who came forward and stopped these acts of human cruelty.

well human cruelty will always continue...if you plot it as a function of time and consider its diffusive limit, it will turn out to be a brownian motion 🙂 ... what you are experiencing is just temporary fluctuations which will not matter on the overall scale.....so chill out

March 20, 2013 at 9:24 am |

Weber

India desperately needs an ARAB SPRING, Women’s right are violated everyday. Several Foreign women visiting were gang raped as recently as last week.

The culture of rape, extreme poverty, begging on the streets, child workers and not to mention the Saffron extremism.

UK , Sweden just flagged India as NOT SAFE TO TRAVEL for anyone, especially women

Regarding India's media: how has this social tragedy been treated in local media? What's been the government's reaction in the media? Are the wealthier classes aware of this slavery/bondage problem? What steps were taken, will be taken, to prevent future worker abuse?

India has fallen so far in the last few months with all the rapes and now this, its just mind numbing. I pray that some good comes out of all these crazy reports and the people over there find some hope for a better future. god this stuff is sad!

I don't buy this. 3 year olds working like this. Makes no sense. How much can a 3 year
actually do. I think there is more to it than this story. Bonded labor is horrible, So please note
I am not for what is happening to these people. But looks like every story that's on CNN about
India has a negative viewpoint. You would think India was being compared to Saudi Arabia or
North Korea. CNN have some balance.

The report is accurate. This happens. I am from India and now live in Canada. These people work like dogs for nothing and are illiterate. Those rich slave owners literally treat their dogs better and tell them they owe them some incredulous amount which they cannot pay so they have to keep working. The officials out there are complicit in this.
There is still caste issues outside of the bigger cities. Untouchables are not supposed to exist under the law but we all know what goes on in the villages. We also hear of horrific abuses when one of the so called untouchables does something even remotely bad. Most cases they are framed or desperate in hunger. I hope the India Govt feels embarrassed into taking some action. Seems that is the only way things change.

March 20, 2013 at 7:43 am |

geeworker

yep with a wave of your hand and using your jedi mind trick we no longer beleive this story nice try

March 20, 2013 at 7:46 am |

Adel Seghir

Seconded. Hard to buy, which in no way is cynical, or in no way antagonizes the issue. In any case, if the writer had a clearer mind, he:she would recognize that when slaves are born that way (which is the case all too often), salvery begins at birth anyway.

The real issue is that. when activists campaign for a good cause, as is the case here, but they're a naive, narrow-minded rich-country shallow intellectual, then your articles are so goofy (or schmaltzy or whatever) that in the end you are hurting the cause you're serving. I read everyday on CNN j(American) ournalists showing the miserable state of today's Irak (or Pakistan, or else) without realizing how locals feel when reading those articles, entire disgust.

Whatever you do, do it with tact and be sensitive as to how people will *feel* about what you write. Or else, it means CNN's target is the US electorate... which may be what it's all about in the end.

– AS

March 20, 2013 at 8:08 am |

BobPitt

I have to dealt with Indians on a daily base, they are horrible to work with.. and they have no compassion for the poor.. they tell me some horrible things especially dealing with women issues, I been to their homes and see how they treat their own wife, and daughters. I have no love for them..

March 20, 2013 at 8:09 am |

Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son

@ Adel Seghir
How the locals feel is irrelevant. Of course the locals aren’t going to like being called out for their primitive culture as clearly you don’t ether.

March 20, 2013 at 8:18 am |

Alina77

If it looks and sounds horrific, it doesn't mean its not happening...

March 20, 2013 at 8:38 am |

John Kon

Yes It is western view. They are want to demonize other cultures for their own benefit.
It is like at work they make fun of your arranged marriage(again western term) and they
sleep around and multiple marriages and million kids and they think their way of thinking is
better. When they humanity that doesn't include others. So watch out.

March 20, 2013 at 9:02 am |

OpenMinded

@ nds – First I want to say that Sri Lanka is a beautiful place. I visited there a few years ago while deployed. As for India, I believe that the country is plagued, like many others, with slavery. The U.S. had "legal" slavery and since abolished it. It does not mean that it still does not exist in the U.S. The question must be asked though... what would happen if no one ever knew about this "illegal" slavery whether it be in India or elsewhere? India is not being compared to Saudi Arabia or North Korea. Those are governement issues where this is a social issue. The sad thing is, although we have the freedom to talk about it on this medium, those trapped in human trafficking may never have that opporunity.

March 20, 2013 at 9:13 am |

prat

Clearly you're mistaken......why would they compare india to saudi arabia when saudi arabia is pretty prosperous compared to india.....you lack any sense.

March 20, 2013 at 9:57 am |

mike

Wow, look at the apologists. Yes, I am sure there is a very good reason for 3 year olds working at kilns, right? Give me a break. And I assume you're not accusing them of lying, because you never disputed the claims, you just said there had to "be more to it". The thing is there is nothing that could be added to it that would justify the known facts.

March 20, 2013 at 10:27 am |

qazoo

News Flash, they haven't fallen anywhere. India has always been this way. It's only coming to light now because it's become a very wealthy country. Put it in your mind good, because this is America's future. An island of wealth surrounded by slums.

Nikhil – Did you skip over the part about where the $400 advance becomes a $400 DEBT, which the worker is UNABLE to pay off because they are not paid any wage? Kind of hard to pay off a debt when you are working for nothing, even harder to support your family. Would YOU make an agreement like that?

U missed the part about the "pay advance" becoming a never ending debt to be paid back. SMH.

March 20, 2013 at 6:36 am |

nikhil

Dude 400 $ is payment in advance....you invest it and pay it or somehow pay it

March 20, 2013 at 6:44 am |

nikhil

Chris...I wont agree to such arrangements since im well off

March 20, 2013 at 6:45 am |

OpenMinded

Nikhil is one of the "managers" paying the $400 advancement and living off the backs of the oppresed.

March 20, 2013 at 9:15 am |

whatever

Nikhil~ after reading through this I had to comment. Since you state you are so `well off`, maybe you need to take some of your money and take an English class. Your grammer and punctuation are terrible!!!!!

Clearly nikhil, you cannot read and comprehend. They were promised $400 but got a $400 debt instead. If you cannot read and comprehend, shut up. People like you are an annoying disgrace to the human race.

March 20, 2013 at 5:42 pm |

Bryan

Some of you Indians are really messed up in the head. You are really trying to defend this by saying they got paid? You like to think you're different from Pakis, but you're quite similar, backward and very unapologetic. No matter how successful the Indians that have come here are, the fact that India is still a dump shows that you still need the West to succeed, so take stories like this seriously, and make changes. Then maybe you can join East Asians in the developed part of Asia.

Although I am happy that this problem is being highlighted, I agree a 100% that CNN goes out of its way to show India in a poor light. It has some hangover from the cold war or some Pakistani is high up in its editorial management.

The poor India bureau journalist that wants to make a name has no idea of exactly how their expose' stories are misused to stereotype India and Indians.

Oh so on one side you claim to be all powerfull (india that is) and on the other hand you can't face the facts? Look at USA, we ask hard questions about our own society. If you want to be like the big boys then learn to deal with this instead of crying "oh why not them, why us". This is typical of Indians.

March 20, 2013 at 10:50 am |

warsteiner

Kumar if you are going to say slavery,rape,caste system does not exist then I think it you who are being selective in your news

well when you poke nose then the people living in house observe you...the same thing...thats why i am reading this article...dumb person.....

March 20, 2013 at 8:23 am |

Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son

@ nikhil
I agree.. you are a dumb person.

March 20, 2013 at 8:27 am |

Gardengirl

Kumar, Please do not feel that this is bias against India. I don't see it that way. I think there is a world wide problem with slavery, including in the USA. Every country on earth seems to currently have some form of slavery at least in some amount right now, to human's great shame. It isn't about India in particular in my opinion.

Thanks GardenGirl, that’s what I was about to suggest to Kumar. Yes, this story highlights a situation in India but the problem is global and CNN, over many stories, is trying to show that.

March 20, 2013 at 11:15 am |

Bryan

Kumar, you are not being forced to read the article, and for some of us who do care about children suffering no matter where they are, your comment reads like the opinion of a typical Indian that likes to pretend there are no problems in India. If there are no problems in India why are there so many Indians migrating here then?

It's not the media being harsh on India. INDIA is being harsh on India. Facts suck. The US is demonized the world over by the global media, yet most of us have the sense to know that some of it is justified. Learn to do the same.

Hold on. There are banner pictures up above that have associated articles of slaverly elsewhere. I understand you are likely hurt by this but you cannot deny that this exist in India and elsewhere. If you have any compassion or care beyond your religious and cultural dogma, you would at least try to figure out how widespread and bad this is in India. You cannot possibly have had your head stuck in the proverbial sand for ever or is this a case of pretend it doesn't exist and these people are inferior according to the mahabharata

So on one hand you want to be the worlds super power, on the other hand you want to dictate what should be or shouldn't be published about the corrupt portions of the society? That is NOT how you become a super power.

I wouldn't fault CNN, they could be ignorant and are interested in a story about India that gets them more clicks. I would however criticize the laziness of the so called reporter. I am not a journalist, but I could have written this story thirty years ago, this is not news and this practice in India however abhorrent it is, not new. The unfortunate truth is, the politicians (particularly Communists) have exploited the plight of these people for decades but have done nothing to improve their situation. This section of the society have no other skills and fall prey to these practices. I hope NGO's enter this arena and be part of change, that is the only possible and plausible way the situation would improve.

Ugly Indian politicians worried about Sri Lankan Tamils who live freely and in much better than these slaves. Sonia /Jayalalitha and Karuna have to clean their own house before they worry about neighbours. Do not visit India for any reason. there is high risk of rape.

About a hundred years ago, this was also going on in England and many western countries. Nowadays, these countries have become 'morally advanced' because they have stopped it on their shores. Instead, they pay child labour companies in China and India to build their products.

Right on ! Nobody makes bricks cheaper than kids ! While other countries have or had standards of living,India has absolutely none so it's perfect for Americans to exploit.God bless Obama and the Bushes for our chance to use slaves,and we dont even have to see them.

As a business owner,I protest this article !!! If it wasn't for India's slave labor,I would have to pay a fair wage to employees.Bless the USA and the greed of politicians for this step up in the highly competeive world of greed.

India is not under fascist rule. They can change those conditions at any time they choose and they choose to ignore it, along with the practice of cutting limbs off of children and putting them in the street to beg for money.

Nikil, You are in denial off the problems in India, and because you are well off and from your comments you would probably exploit child labor.

March 20, 2013 at 7:47 am |

Philip Paradis

I respect his view. You seem a bit defensive; have you or your family profited from this sort of labor? Do you condone it?

March 20, 2013 at 7:51 am |

anne112

nikhil What a meatball you are!

March 20, 2013 at 8:58 am |

nikhil

dont poke your nose into others business...look at your society, the rich treat poor in your country USA very badly....I recently heard that after Obama won, coal company in Ohio fired 100s of workers.....the wealth in your country is unevenly distributed......will your kids be able to get decent education with what money you have?......

but hey guess what nik....those workers got paid for doing their jobs, they also didnt get beaten and also had food to eat, and could leave anytime.

March 20, 2013 at 9:18 am |

nikhil

@cedar....we have a society which will work in barter system if a person is in crisis..unlike yours......so the workers in ohio cannot borrow....while poor people can borrow (amongst the buffer created by poor people, which has mean zero, but temporary fluctuations persist)......

March 20, 2013 at 9:27 am |

mike

nikhil, the jobless coal worker in the US has a better life than a slave laborer in India. Don't even compare. And yeah, the US has its problems. We're keenly aware of them. How did you even know about those coal workers? Answer: a story in the media. You're saying that India's dirty laundry is off limits? Grow up and quit defending the indefensible.

March 20, 2013 at 10:33 am |

Darren MacLennan

Nikhil, have you ever heard the phrase "The only thing that it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing?"

Do you think that your efforts to sweep this awful practice under the rug are helping, or hurting?

March 20, 2013 at 10:41 am |

jag

Is that all you can write? Don't poke your nose?? every post you keep writing the same thing!!
You are really stupid and a big MORON and you should be ashamed of your self to represent India, People like you are the cancer and the downfall of India.

March 20, 2013 at 11:25 am |

jag

Don't poke your nose?? every post you keep writing the same thing!!
You are really stupid and a big MORON and you should be ashamed of your self to represent India, People like you are the cancer and the downfall of India.

March 20, 2013 at 11:27 am |

hemuda

It's like saying I have no respect for the US because racism still exists, people die in gun violence and slavery still exist in parts where law enforcement find it hard to penetrate. It's all about how law enforcement is working and how it is evolved. Precisely because of these conditions in India, it is hard to stop crimes like these. It's not like there are only bad people in India and good people in US. There are good and bad people everywhere. But the level of crime will be defined by where the law enforcement can have greater reach.

John, I largely agree with your statements that you make. However, not sure how to help you not to develop a sweeping stereotype about the Indians. There are many great people who are honest, hardworking, and contributing people. However, they seem to be outnumbered by selfish and thugish politicians and people who do not have any respect for anybody or anything but for their selfish needs and greed. All I ask is that you do not need to disrespect everyone from India. You will miss out on the opportunity of knowing some good people.

When Europe and most of the West underwent the Industrial Revolution, didn't children work at factories, mills, and other labor-intensive industries? Where were minimum age regulations then? What were the living conditions of the factory workers those days in London, New York, and Paris? Even adults had to work a lot more than the 35-40 hour work week that is the norm nowadays! These are outcomes of being a developed nation, which India is not.

India is having it's Industrial Revolution now. So the expectation of people (including children) to have the same standard of living today as the West is a pipe dream. I would rather children work their way through and pick up useful skills which will support a livelihood through the rest of their lives, than have them starve in remote villages of India or turn to crime when their parents can't support them.

To call this human slavery by CNN is nothing more than bad reporting, and a misrepresentation of the truth. The whole of America is consuming goods produced in sweatshops half a world across. So, better clean your own house before pointing fingers to others!

The industrial revolution started,for us over a hundred years ago,UNIONS put an end to the sweat shops,sometimes being killed by thugs hired by big business.We got rid of slave labor over a hundred years ago and now with the eradication of unions,I'm afraid we will revisit those days as individual have no one to protect them from unscrupulous businessmen.Back to India,they had lights in the streets before we even were a country,so I'd like to know how India missed the industrial revolution,especially since the Brits had so much influence there.

Its because the Brits did nothing to help India (or any of its other colonies). Its policy of colonization was merely to exploit, not assist

March 20, 2013 at 7:19 am |

fiftyfive55

@name penguin-I agree with you,still,can you honestly say they didn't learn a thing from them,afterall the brits conducteed a lot of business there while using local Indians.The rest of the world learned from their conquerors,are you saying they aren't smart enough like the rest of the world was when they had been conquered at one time or another ?

March 20, 2013 at 7:31 am |

Fend for yourself

Why does everyone say "they need help"
Englad didn't help India?? why expect help? learn and work for yourself.
Just like this article says: most freed slaves are given a 2 year basic-community education. Seriously, all you need is creativity and hard work to make a living.

The problem is people sit around waiting for help. And then cursing at the well-to-do because they don't help.

March 20, 2013 at 8:03 am |

mike

Just the sort of poor attempt to justify human exploitation and misery that I'd expect from someone who takes their name from an Ayn Rand book. Her own publisher called "Atlas Shrugged" a childrens novel.

Hey John, I guess if a country hasn't yet created a law against genocide, that we should allow it without judgement? Your logic is atrociously naive and childish, but as I said, I'd expect that from an Ayn Rand fan.

This is not a problem of 'slavery', but a problem of over-population, which forces the kids to fend for themselves, because the parents don't make enough to feed them. What we are witnessing here is the Indian industrial agree. In Europe this also mean children working in factories for 20 hours per day. It is completely inaccurate to call this slavery.

It's called "indentured servitude", and it IS tantamount to slavery. We went through it in the US, too. And no, that doesn't mean it's OK, because after all, we ACKNOWLEDGED how evil it was and we put a stop to it.

YES WE CAN run this country like this.. and compete. For 30 years I have worked with guys form over there and stories are the same from there, always were, and are. Injuries/deaths are carried to the property line and "we don't know you".

Just another shining example of American greed. The US condemns slavery out of one side of its mount and demands it out of the other.

As long as multi-billion dollar US mega-corporations can lay off hard-working Americans and ship their jobs to India, there will be nothing done about this travesty. The billionaire illuminati that control us all are going to grow their riches no matter what.

When the public stops feeding CNN that baits such things in the background unseen it will be a great day, indeed. Slavery occurs in the US still, as well. CNN only reports on fabrication and like many media today – is purposefully omitting truth. Like the fact that Mr. Obama is committing genocide against poor families of Jewish ancestry. Not reporting fact.

This is a great new way to get lazy Americans off welfare , immagine how many jobs we could create just by filling FEMA camps with the poor and have them work . Obama could become a hero by putting people to work .

No human with a clear intellect can treat another that way. However when the human intellect is overcome by greed, it is very easy to express the evil within. Gandhi had said "there is enough in the world to meet everyone's need but there is not enough to meet one man's greed." (slightly paraphrased as I did not look it up).

However, you may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you. You may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way. Leviticus 25:44-46

Please define poverty......
Every human race/culture starts with living in huts. ALL of our ancestors, hundreds of years ago, started in huts, living off the land. All it took was creativity and hard work.
These people may live in huts, and some people would say that because they don't live like the rest of the worl, they are "poor".......

The problem with most poor people is that they bring it on to themselves by sitting around waiting for help. The example in the story we just read about the guy accepting a $400 advance payment.... Why wait for anyone to 'lend' you money? Creat/invent a product, and sell it on the street. Put your whole family to work on such product.

Like the story says: the freed slaves are given a two year basic community education. That's really the bottom line: the "poor" people usually are poor because they never cared to learn earlier in life, and pass that on to their kids, and so on.

One of the things I have been unable to come to terms with is how India has laws that protects juveniles and will apparently allow the juvenile involved in the Delhi gang rape who was the most brutal of the five to be freed after a maximum of three years in a juvenile home. The Juvenile Justice Board appears in India appears to have the ability to do this in spite of the Indian Penal Code establishing 13 as the age at which criminal liability begins. Meanwhile we have child slavery that the Juvenile Justice Board turns a blind eye to. The hypocrisy in India is amazing. Most of India's problems start and end with an almost completely corrupt bureaucracy aided and abetted by politicians.

I recently visited India while returning from china business. Situation is not that bad. Please remember that there are 3 times more people than USA population in almost 1/8th space. With very less resources I believe those people manage very well. Looks like western media is very biased as all the stories written about China, India and other third world countries are negative. Though I agree if such incidence is happening then it should be fixed. But it can happen in US also. I think CNN of journalist are after quick fame and they like to run after flashy stories. I will say more investigation is required. May be parents are working at that place and kid is playing around. Few hundred $ may change perspective in that part of world.... Another point is such stories actually damage our business. People there will check those stories and will frustrated about our views and big picture. Again don't take me wrong here but things need to be taken with pinch of salt..

Empire eventually impoverishes all colonies by taking the residents' land, stripping resources and leaving nothing but overpopulation (the Church's mandate) and desertification (the result of both overpopulation and exploitation). This is how Empire works. The people of India are not undergoing industrialization, except in limited areas; they are going through the pangs of collapse in most rural areas.

There is no end to man's ability to be cruel to his fellow man. It is almost always at the core in the pursuit of the almighty dollar. It happens on some level in every country and while it might not be called slavery the pursuit of the next dollar is killing this planet and the people that live here.

As much as I don't like it slavery will never be abolished. CNN and the western world alike lives in a fantasy world. The main reason why slavery has temporarily ceased in the US is because they consume 25% of world's oil despite of being only 4% of world's population. Let them reduce their oil consumption to 4% and see how within a matter of days they will reinstate slavery to get their work done which was so conveniently done by oil powered machines.

Slavery is very much in India since India's birth. unless India get tough economic, bilateral trade, diplomatic sanctions by world bodies, she will not listen. women, children, poor dalits are exploited, suppressed like any thing in India. I strongly recomend world body to act sternly against India. NO HINDU RAJ / PANDIT RAJ will help in this regard. other relegious majorities are also same. they speak from Mount Everest, can't even do Kanyakumari jobs.

The important thing is. It's Indians themselves who are rescuing these people and government coming to help after exposure. These could happen anywhere in the world. I know for sure that bonded labor still happens in USA. It could happen where the law and order is hard to enforce because of remoteness or lack of information about crime happening or where there is corruption.

There are 50 million people who do not know where the next will come from and millions do not have healthcare. poverty and un affordable healthcare is part of life in USA. Get off your high horse and think about getting out of dark ages for yourself first before preaching to others.

If this is still going on in 2013, then it is embedded in their culture, no amount of Western aid is going to change that. India has a booming economy and free university education system. If government cared they would ensure that the wealth filters down, not by socialism but with education and job growth...sound familiar? We need the same things here.

What a BS. Ask a company or person who does a low level business in South India how hard it is to get labors to show up for work. If you know the geography Odisa is all the way north of India. NGO's employees need to show performance to keep their job and lavish life style. I heard/read a case in southern AP where NGO set things up and it blew on their face. On top of it CNN reporter needs to report somthing so people in the west can entertain. Same bs like Mother Theresa.

Stopping crimes like slavery and child labor is all about how law enforcement is working and how it is evolved. Precisely because of these conditions in India, it is hard to stop crimes like these. It's not like there are only bad people in India and good people in US. There are good and bad people everywhere. But the level of crime will be defined by where the law enforcement can have greater reach. As an Indian I recognize that there is a problem. However, it's not a wide spread problem. Problem exist only where law enforcement is unable to reach because of remoteness or lack of information or corruption. What is noticeable is that people who are helping to curb this crimes are Indians and no international intervention is needed. Slavery cannot vanish overnight in a young ruler India where education has not reached to desirable level. You should appreciate efforts of Indians who are working against these problems on positive side.

Another grandstanding article from the western press. Is this article a lie. Absolutely not. But is India the only country in the world world having problems of poverty , exploitation and misery ? Absolutely not. Is every Child in India abused , unhappy , miserable exploited and mistreated. Absolutely not. Is every Child in American population , (Inspite of America's population being almost 1/5th the population of india ) free of poverty , not abused , not exploited , have a proper shelter – absolutely not, Are all Americans proseperous , living the grand life , with no crime , love and take care of one another , not abused another person or not abused ones own self with Drugs and what not ? Absolutely not. Or for that matter any country in the world. CNN has done some good work and has some good programs , but it is not beyond its Sanctimonious Grand standing like rest of the western media and the likes of BobPitt and Tom Tom , the Piper's Son who like to focus the attention on other peoples problem and pass judgement on them , only so that they can falsely feel good about themselves because they dont want to deal with or just plain ignore the problems in their own backyard.

I’ve been reading the comments with great interest and hope we’re not grandstanding. I agree that slavery is a global problem and would say we’re trying to cover the issue as sensitively as possible including the problems in the U.S. http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/19/inside-look-how-an-alleged-sex-slavery-ring-is-dismantled/

First they duped people into believing that Mohammed Mossadeq in Iran was a threat, then they duped people into believing Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, then they began drone strikes in neighboring Pakistan.

Indians, these people are out to get India, they are going to hide it under a humanitarian guise, but they do not want to see anything improve.

Westerners I remind you that just because your smear campaign against India has been stepped up, does not mean you will be successful. Watch yourselves, the world is sick of your Obama and your sh!!!!!t

This is unfortunate if true, although a little over blown in some aspects as its hard to believe a 3 year old toddler would be able to work for 20-22 hours a day hauling heavy bricks. Good that it came to light and the people were rescued. I think these were some fortunate souls who were blessed but there are their counterparts in the more 'developed" world who wont be so fortunate. We fail to recognize the modern day slavery of debt and credit that prevails in our own country. People are born in poverty and live their whole lives on debt money – either from banks or from credit card – and work their asses off on 2-3 jobs to pay it off and still fail to get out of it. Aren't they slaves too? I work on projects for inner city kids and I am ashamed to report that the condition of some of the cities in US is no better if not worse. There is misery, poverty, domestic child abuse and all kinds of evils that you can imagine right in our neighborhoods. Add easy availability of guns and drugs to top it off which makes it deadly. I hope a reporter will have some sense and heart to shine a light on these conditions rather than going all the way to India for the same thing. I think we are being hypocritical. Peace.

It's also a form of slavery when you don't even pay minimum wage. The problem of workers not getting minimum wages is as wide spread in USA as bonded labor in India. Technically both the cases are of bondage labor. There are many places where illegal immigrants and even legal immigrants work way under minimum wages. Recently, there were cases of bondage labor in USA where workers were made to work in farm and they just used to get meals. Even minimum wage itself is not a living wage in US. So slavery is prevalent everywhere in the world where you can duck laws or exploit the laws.

Thanks for your comments. And we realize that slavery in its many forms is a global problem including the US. I thought you might find these earlier Freedom Project stories interesting. http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/19/inside-look-how-an-alleged-sex-slavery-ring-is-dismantled/ and http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/17/trafficking-survivor-its-time-to-help-others/

March 20, 2013 at 10:56 am |

hemuda

Thanks for the response. I appreciate this blog. But I find it hard to believe that a three year old would actually work there. It has to be a case of playing around the site. For someone who has lived in India for 21 years, I have seen child labor and bondage labor. However, recently when I went back to visit India, things has improved where I grew up. Generally, you will find less of this problem than a decade ago. I believe the law enforcement has to improve and laws also need to evolve to optimum level.

March 20, 2013 at 11:09 am |

CNNI blog producerCNN

That’s exactly the sort of question we ask before publishing a story because it is so shocking to believe. We spoke to Indian officials, international NGOs and more families than just the one mentioned in the story, and are confident the story tells the truth. I am sure the situation has improved over the years like you say, but the plight of those enduring forced labor today should be highlighted. Hopefully, in time, these kinds of stories will be told in history lessons.

I feel horrible for poor kids! Little children who should be loved and nourished and taken care of. If there is a way to help them directly, I am all for it. BUT WHY THE HECK DO YOU PRODUCE FOUR CHILDREN WHEN YOU CAN'T AFFORD EVEN ONE?!

LOL, Nik, you made me laugh..Not the sharpest tool in the shed, aren't you? 😉

March 20, 2013 at 9:49 am |

DisgustedinVA

Econica, totally agree with you. I feel this way whether you are living in DC, VA, Chile, England or India. DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN IF YOU CANNOT PROVIDE THE CARE THEY REQUIRE!!! It's not a hard concept. People are just ignorant.

This is one of the most ridiculous stories I have read from CNN. There is a limit to how far someone can stoop to show a country in bad shade. But, CNN has no limits. I grew up in India for 21 years and I know that most of what is mentioned in this article is incorrect. 3 year old working 22 hours? Really? Can a three year old really contribute? Slavery in India? When? Where? The cost of labor is very cheap is India and the wages for unskilled work are ridiculously low. So, lot of low skilled workers have to work long hours to make a living. There is child labor, mostly forced by financial situation of the parents- and the Government is trying its best to abolish that. But, child labor is not for 3 year olds. There is no bonded labor or slavery. CNN- you suck!

India it is time to dump the West. Their economy is CRAP, their values are NONE. They are attacking and slaughtering our neighbors. They have no values themselves, with 14 year old WHITE girls sleeping with 5 different men!

These nations are like rabid dogs. What does the vet do with rabid dogs?

You sound like a terrorist calling Americans dogs. CNN, Can you do something about his verbal threats? calling people who comments dumb or animal is wrong. Name calling is immature and is not allowed even in preschool.

Is slavery extending in US IT businesses? How to be protected against slavery in USA?
Worldwide we know that slavery is growing fast in India, China, Mexico and the South part of USA, most of the time against browns, children, and brown female among other groups of people.

Is slavery extending in US IT businesses? How to be protected against slavery in USA?
Worldwide we know that slavery is growing fast in India, China, Mexico and the South part of USA, most of the time against browns, children, and brown female among other groups of people. All this has impacted American IT businesses in which the alien consultants trying to reduce their own rates similar to India, this is not allow by American laws of immigration, but it is happening and we have to stop it no to happen in a country that already abolished any kind of slavery in our territory. There is a human traffic supported for the Catholic Church coming from LATAM but it is connected to other extremist in the religion arena.
It seems that even the CIA working people from India and IT companies have developed modern IT slavery technology based on brain implants, chips and devices, electromagnetic and internet signal with connectivity to networks, as well as satellite technology. This technology is not regulated yet even that it is used today against enemies in finance, accounting, IT areas of the extremist groups created in the Free Trade Agreements in the global markets, controlling airports and other strategic locations. US government even is thinking to use drones against terrorist citizens without a trial.
At this time, it is difficult to identify allies or not, there are extremist group who are affecting our economy with socialist and communist monopolies, in all kind of economic sector, in which IT is only part of it. The situation is that the weakness we have it is that the enemy is inside our territory and it is necessary to remove it because the risk has increased in our strategic security, weapon, employments, businesses, government, investments, among others.

Indians are far better for the US(all of us Americans) than uneducated amigos crossing the border and having anchor babies and going on the dole! Bigger threat than a few Indians driving IT rates down? I don't think so, amigo! We have to deal with 20 million now. Which is a bigger threat?

WE NEED TO STOP SENDING ALL OUR JOBS TO INDIA IT IS A NATION OF SLAVES AND WE ARE JUST BEING GREEDY SO WE CAN GET THE LOWEST COST TO BUILD OUR PRODUCTS. NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN THE USA IN THE LAT 200 YEARS

INDIAN POSTERS HERE SEEM MORE EDUCATED AND INTELLIGENT HERE THAN OTHERS WITH LOW EDUCATION AND RED NECK MENTALITY. VERY OBVIOUS. FORUM FOR HATE FOR SURE. MEDIA SO POWERFUL THAT THEY CAN MALIGN A COUNTRY AND EDUCATE MASSES WITH IGNORANCE BY FEW ARTICLES. THOSE WHO BELIEVE ARE NAIIVE, WANT TRURH, TRAVEL TO INDIA BUT IT IS TOO FAR AND YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO GO.

It's also a form of slavery when you don't even pay minimum wage. The problem of workers not getting minimum wages is as wide spread in USA as bonded labor in India. Technically both the cases are of bondage labor. There are many places where illegal immigrants and even legal immigrants work way under minimum wages. Recently, there were cases of bondage labor in USA where workers were made to work in farm and they just used to get meals. Even minimum wage itself is not a living wage in US. So slavery is prevalent everywhere in the world where you can duck laws or exploit the laws.

When people ask India to get out of dark age we should remember it took more than 175 years for US to have reform itself. India is far ahead in evolution in just 65 years after Independence. It's Indians who are finding solution to problems without any western intervention.

WEST ONLY WANTS INDIAN POPULATION (1,3 BILLION) AS THEIR CONSUMERS. THEY DON'T GIVE RATS A _ _ INDIA FOR THAT MATTER. I SAY, WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE. INDIA NEED TO STEP UP AND SHOW WORLD WHO IS BOSS. TAKE NO BS FROM ANYONE.

CNN IS DOING THIS TO SURVIVE. I HEARD THAT WEBSITES ARE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE CAUSE IT IS FREE. DOING THIS AT THE EXPENSE OF INDIA. CNN FEELS COMPELLED TO EXPOSE ALL NEGATIVES ABOUT INDIA WHILE IGNORING ALL THE POSITIVES (NOT NEWS). CNN DOES OPPOSITE FOR COUNTRIES WITH CHRISTIAN AND WHITE MAJORITY. IT IS SO OBVIOUS AND SHEMEFUL. CNN AUDIENCE IS MOSTLY WHITE CHRISTIANS SO THEY CATER TO THEM WITH "FEEL GOOD" ARTICLES.

Because this country was "stolen" by the white invaders from the Indians, who raped their culture, land and women and subjugated (enslaved) them! This land ain't yours either! There is only one race(white) and culture over centuries that has "Enslaved" more people and destroyed more cultures. That is why that Brown man – Jesus said" let the man who has not sinned cast the first stone" . So according to Jesus, white man shouldn't be the one casting the first stone!

Using "culture" as an excuse is sickening. Whats wrong is wrong !!!!!!!!! I'm fed up with people saying "Well its our culture", or "its our religion. ". It is a lame and weak excuse used to cover up atrocities used to exploit the uneducated and vulnerable for greed and power.Call it like it is.!!!!!!!!

India is just about the most F'd up country in the world. They have some wonderful people, food and customs just like any other country, but the have one of the most corrupt, inhumane governmental and socio hierarchical systems in the world. they are about 1000 years behind. I'm sure you can find examples of this story in parts of our country, the difference being that it is not government sponsored or accepted. what a bunch of animals. anyone, in our country or any other that harms children, need to be put to death immediately.

Absolutely wrong. It's not Indian government that sponsors or excepts the slavery. It's exactly the same reason what slavery still exist in USA. Its all about how efficient and sincere the law enforcement is. You can find slavery anywhere in the world where law enforcement cannot reach or have no access to the information. Why it's not positive to you that its government that come to help of these bonded people!

David, Agree with you totally on the Govt. being corrupt part. But putting people who harm children to death.... Still waiting for those priests who abused kids in the church to at least be hauled up before a judge like any other American! Death sentence, dream on ....., Let us practice what we preach!

It's not CNN that is detecting the slavery. It's Indians themselves who are finding the problem and solving them. So there is no need to lecture India. And I find it very imaginative to read "3 year slave". Often, when parents are working, Children are playing around in poor parts of India where there are schools but no incentives for parents to send them in schools. And I won't believe the report just because its CNN interviewing NGO. NGOs these days may lie just so that they can continue receiving funds. The problem of unpaid work or underpaid work is wide spread in India because of illiteracy in rural parts. But it's no where near the level it was say a decade ago. It is India that is correcting the problems. It does not need western interventions. Indians have evolved more in 65 years of their independence than any other country.

US should worry more about its own slavery problem before pointing fingers at others. USA has much more to answer because it has more evolved law enforcement and its a developed economy.

Too many rats in the cage. No where is this more true than in India. You can blame the Indian government or anyone else you want, but there is no way to provide for all these people. Comes down to survival of the fittest.

There is no doubt government needs to do a lot and bring in higher education and mobilization towards the advancement. They need people with out-of-the-box thinking , given the democracy current government representatives want to cling with their own traditional background leading to the backwardness of the system – but who knows when we run out oil, gas and many other resources what else we will do ?

CNN takes a picture of a boy and presents it as bonded labor. did CNN really verify if the boy was a bonded labor ?. usually these kids are sons and daughters of adult workers, working in the same factory or construction site. You find a kid at work site and CNN marks them as bonded labor. shame on you CNN. when you repot a story on bonded labor present it with evidence with interviews you had with adults around. india does provide free education to all children. It is the parents that do not send the kids to these schools. The parents dont see any value in educating their kids. They are happier taking care of them during morning hours as well and teaching practical experience. When unemployment hits 20% for educated people then these pictures will be a common sight in every country.

Frankly, as an American, I am tired of our culture trying to save the world. I feel for these people, but on the other hand, we have so many issues here at home that I think we spend a lot of time highlighing issues elsewhere to make ourselves feel better. I don't condone slavery or child labor in any fashion but since these things exist in some ways here in the US (even though many will deny it it) I believe that we should start focusing some of our efforts on our own problems.

Okay, so the Indian government doesn't know about these slave shops? Of course they do. The U.S. should stop outsourcing jobs to a country that allows this. The U.S. should stop outsourcing jobs anyway. If it continues, we will be seeing the same thing here.

The kids do get paid.
Food, clothing, shelter.....
So if someone isn't handing you cash for your work it's slavery?
Maybe this is a tradition in these countries.
Maybe CNN is trying to relate to a culture it doesn't understand because it's not a mirror of its own.
Again.....(sigh)

Mike, Of course not! No 3 year old would be used as labor. Some reporters are famous for sensationalizing such matters by providing wrong information.

March 20, 2013 at 11:37 am |

mike

Norm, if it is so OK then why did the US make it illegal? It's exploitation, plain and simple. Indentured servitude is a form of evil. You think these people can leave anytime they want? They cannot. Stop trying to justify evil.

For those countries that continue the blame game- America is not perfect, but when other countries get in a jam- who is it they call on???? America.!!! There are many [people in America who are trying to make a difference who are ready to put their lives on the line for doing what is right. We are all guilty of complacency, blaming others and looking the other way – lets face it, its easier to do nothing than to educate ourself and stand up for whats right. We all have to educate ourself or to at least use our common sense and , stand up for injustices and not be bought off by those whose interest is solely themselves. Whether its the gun laws in Americal Slavery in India and Africa, the rape and murder of women in Africa, the lack of respect for women in the middle East etc. WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR WHEN WE DON'T STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT!!!!! It doesn't matter where one lives or where we were born, their religion or colour-n we are all one people. It matters to us all what happends to people anywhere. We all have a stake in humanity!!

Child labor is a problem in India just as gun culture is a problem in US. Just as US has went through dark periods of bonded labor and slavery, India too is going through its phase of evolution. But it should not be mistaken that the fact is, 'It is the economically backward that are exploited the most in any country'. Hunger and survival instincts push people below norms of dignity and it is better if everyone realizes that this is a global problem and not specific to India just as gun culture is not specific to USA. Sitting elsewhere we can never understand the ground reality of another country. For example, my parents in India think that the schools there are much safer than in US. True? May or may not be because it is hard to generalize. But it is only sensational incidents/articles from other countries which make headlines and people form their opinions only basing on these articles. In my opinion there is nothing to be euphoric about any country/society on this planet because every society is made up of humans to begin with. All we can do is to choose to do something about injustice or just pass along as if we didn't notice. But making opinions based on sensational articles is foolish!!

@Woody. I just want to say that I truly appreciate your response. I think it's logical and open-minded, yet realistic. Thank you for sharing. It was refreshing to read a comment that actually spurred thinking and discussion, not just name calling and blame.

INDIA'S PROBLEMS ARE FOR INDIA TO SOLVE. CNN AND ITS NON INDIAN READERS CAN NOT SOLVE THEM. STAY OUT OF OTHER COUNTRIES' BUSINESS AND FOCUS ON SOLVING YOUR OWN PROBLEMS. BAD THINGS ARE BAD AND EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT, ALL COUNTRIES HAVE GOOD AND BAD. NOBODY NEEDS LECTURES FROM ANYBODY. HATE IS A DISEASE AND MUST BE TREATED AS SUCH. PEACE.

That's going to be a tough sell to Americans. We've grown pretty accustomed to being judged and criticized by outsiders.

You should have spoken up years ago when everyone and their brother was bashing America. Now your protests just seem self serving. It's a little better now, but the world at large still seems to feel they have a right to express their thoughts and opinions on our domestic issues.

Asking people to mind their own business while they're being nitpicked from every direction isn't very reasonable.

india has poorest of poor people of world. the world still does not know about so many areas in india where people do suicides due to poverty and hunger. there are no roads, medical services to millions of people. India has largest population of poor people in world. very few people have been able to come out of this poverty in so many decades after independence from uk.. the democracy in india is not democracy because 1 family is most powerful and rich family and ruling india since independence.

Folks, it's the 3rd world and this is how they've operated for centuries.

We in the advanced have advanced past the Dickensian child labor ways, but since their economies are unlike ours with extreme poverty (ie, slum dog), this will continue to be the normal for over there.

It's easy for us in the west in our BMW SUVs to point fingers and say it is wrong (and it is), but the folks there have nothing much else and their standards are far different than ours.

Until their economic growth is as strong as ours, then this will be common and normal.

Yes, we look at it with our western eyes and find it unacceptable. From their eyes, it is normal.

U want to punish them cuz from our western POV, it's disgusting, and it is. But like I said, they are of a caste system that goes back centuries. This is how they operate. If ur poor of the lower caste, ur doomed.

Until they change their culture and have a stronger economy, they will continue to operate like this.

We have the advantage of starting with a clean sheet of paper here. There, they have centuries of old world tradition. It doesn't make it right from the western POV, but they are what they are.

March 20, 2013 at 10:53 am |

lerianis

This is horrible and shows how absolutely without morality a good bunch of people in the world are. Forcing toddlers to work inside a brick kiln? Insanity.

What about the laborers exploited by Apple in their FoxConn sweatshops or Nike in their South American sweatshops? These are just examples. I guess you should look at your own corporations who do whatever they can get away with in the US and abroad before pointing fingers at other countries.

This is a culture of barbarians .Put the news stories of rape, slavery in Inda then look at the news stories of Indians in America, slavery in NY kidnapping and death of a chiild in PA. They bring the barbarism with them. Money is the god. Thet pretend to be moral.

Huh, You are conclusions about Indians are crazy, based on repulsive stories about rape, slavery so on... Just because there was a Jeffrey Damar or the cannibal cop doesn't make white people cannibals! Or All priests in the church pedaphiles ,because some abused little altar boys, or all white people racists because Black people being dragged behind a pick up truck in the South by the Klan even today, or 16 yr old raped in OH and put on Youtube! May be it is too much to ask but please use your Noodle! Put it in perspective!

Nikhil needs to pick his nose , I agree with this report , I work with NGOs as a part of my company's Corporate Social responsibility program. I work on the same grounds as CNN's team has done. Nikhil please have a good look around with your eyes open .

Come on CNN – I know all you want is 10000 clicks for this page and you got it. I agree there is some kind of slavery in India, but definitely not for a 3 year old. And only very few parts of India in remote areas has this slavery. The country is rich in its heritage and people. I wonder why CNN does not post articles on how Indians excel in education and how top notch they are in many fields. I totally condemn the rapists and am sad the way the government is handling it. I know there are a lot of changes and amendments that need to be made in India. But India has a lot of good people with great brains. There are little kids in India below 7 years aiming for Mensa. You have no idea how much a 4 year old study in India. There are laborers who are poor but their kids study even in street light in the night. They excel in school. CNN – you are definitely biased !!

The story isn't about India in general, if it was, it would be biased. There have been plenty of articles about India's booming economy, high tech advances, etc. This story is about slavery. Are the facts wrong?

Mamtha, most of us have read some of Charles Dickens, or seen the movies! We know that great poverty can co-exist with progress. The vast majority of people commenting here are sympathetic to these families. I, for one, would like to help them.

Well, good job CNN. Bringing an 'important' story from India! As usual its a sensational negative story (thats what you always bring). Few incidence here and there and Salvery is alive in India!! Wow. Ask me if who paid for such stories? Media has become a dirty ***** who anyone can pay and use to their advantage.
Now, can CNN dare bring such stories from China? No they wont dare do it, as Chinese would grab their balls. Its poor India, whose leadership is so disgusting that they allow such absurd stories to be printed with sensational headlines.
And last but not the least, the racists and haters are out in full force to blame India from all angles.

I am from a very rural place in South India. There is no denying that bonded labor exists but the scenario presented by CNN is certainly unreal. There are a lot of incentives and schemes for the poor these days. However, most poor do not send their kids to school even if it is free. I believe lack of education is the source of most problems. Please do not judge India or the conditions in India based on one story. BTW, I lived in the US for 10 years and I know the living standards in the US.

While I appreciate this blog and the effort to highlight the problem. I would like you to look much closer at home. I live in Passaic County in NJ. There is a city called Paterson. A beautiful historic city. I got my Associate degree there. However, the state of that city is dismal. People living in abject poverty, living on welfare, people smoking pot, girls pregnant just to get welfare and smoking heavily, gangs, violence and murders. These are just observations from driving on streets and I am sure that there is more beyond those streets, There are many towns in USA, mostly black neighborhoods. Please go to Paterson, NJ and have some stories from there. I feel really sad when I pass through this beautiful historic town.

I wonder what Caste these people are primarily from, this is a nation full of hate, prejudice, religious prejudice where they love to exploit the uneducated, poor and people of the untouchable Castes. This country is a poor excuse for a democracy when only the privileged and the wealthly have some rights compared to others.

IGNORANCE and HYPOCRISY are all over written in your post. There is no place in the world where poor are not exploited, people are not targeted for who they represent. Your own post shows prejudice and hate for Indians. 🙂 It's because of democracy in India that educated and brave Indians have courage to rescue some 500 bonded labor. Look at the positive side of the same people you are bashing. India is just 65 years old democracy, there is big undercurrent for more reforms going on towards a society that is more inclusive, free and progressive. There is more to India then the over-bored caste system. Whatever you said about India also applies to USA. You just need more objective mind to see through.

It's time for India to take the next steps in joining the ranks of the Great Democracies. High economic growth rates are great, but it's only a small part. The world is waiting for India to take over the spotlight from the Western media and start shining it onto the dark pockets themselves. The West cheered India on as they confronted the problem of rape. I look forward to watching Indians do the same with the exploitation of the poor.

There will always be doubters, haters and India-bashers. The best way to deal with them is prove them wrong. Sweeping the problems under the rug will only strengthen their arguments.

India knows there is an issue, India has resources who work on eradicating this. Things have improved,it is sad that it has not been eradicated completely. As a socialist country with a very strong democratic system and a very open and vocal media, a country with strong unions, all these illegal activities will diminish in India over a period of time.

Nationalists recognize the problem, but will stand up to western powers.

If there were no Indian nationalists India would be third world AND oppressed by foreign powers – Indians would not have the right to an education, livelihood or freedom as they were under British rule.

Don't underestimate Indian nationalists.

March 20, 2013 at 12:34 pm |

Dartboard

This is heartbreaking . I cannot imagine a child having to go through this kind of life. I hope the international community places pressure on the Indian government to put a stop to this.

This being India, there will shortly be a thriving trade in fake brick kilns, where the broker guarantees that, for only $100, you will be rescued by aid workers and given $400 and free training by the government.

WHY IS INDIA BEING DRAGGED OUT LIKE THIS FOR LASHING BY REST OF THE WORLD VIA CNN? WHAT RIGHT DOES ANYONE HAVE TO JUDGE ANYONE? FIRST BE PERFECT YOURSELF AND THEN GIVE ADVICE.
HAVING SAID THIS, INDIA NEEDS TO FIX THIS AND OTHER UNACCEPTABLE THINGS. I AM SURE THAT THINGS ARE BEING DONE BUT OBVIOUSLY MUCH MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE. TO THE RACISTS, I SAY, GO BACK INSIDE YOUR LITTLE HOLE WERE SUN DON'T SHINE!

Wherever birth rates are so high,children are produced in such vast numbers, and women have little or no rights to speak of, life is cheap and miserable. It's the same story in any other part of the world.

I JUST NOTICED THAT CNN MOVED THIS ARTICLE OUT FROM US VERSION OF WEBSITE. SINCE DOING THAT, RACIST COMMENTS HAVE DISAPPEARED OR DIMINISHED. PROVES THAT US READERS USE THIS AS FORUM TO SPEW THEIR HATRED FOR ALL THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM THEM (WHITE AND CHRISTIAN).
CNN PLEASE FIND OTHER STORIES BESIDES FROM INDIA. INDIA DOES NOT FIGHT BACK SO IT IS EASY TO EXPLOIT INDIA. SHAME ON YOU CNN. YOU CAN DO BETTER.

Please stop using Caps! Not good manners. Again, don't blame CNN. These things happen in India today. So, accept it and do something about it instead of whining and complaining! Again crazy to blame the Messenger.

Nik- why so hateful? Will India lead in innovation, or are you just trying the old 'we're better than you, nya nya nya' bit? If it's the former, great. If it's the latter, give me a break. As for the issue at hand, I think if we really care about our countries and our fellow citizens, we should fight against ANY injustices – no matter by who, or where or why. Sweeping it under the rug or pointing fingers won't solve anything. We need to be aware of these problems and help each other as much as we can, 'cuz it's a HUMAN issue – not a national or cultural issue. But yes, we need to clean up our own houses first, both India AND the US. (And kudos to those who are!)

This is going on in Pakistan as well. Sometimes a family will borrow $ to marry their daughter and with the interest charged them will never be able t pay it back-thus a slave for life. Who will stand up for the non-muslims who are stuck in this slavery?

May be the self righteous white christians like the Bill O'Reilly's of the world! Because over the centuries, Slavery has been their core competence! Also let us not forget the Christian Talibans in Ireland killed a Hindu woman, denying her abortion recently! Child working is child's play compared to that! At least the kids are alive!

One thing that confuses me is Indians and Pakistanis arguing with each other, as if these problems are only on one side of the border. You know the rest of us (including the Chinese and Arabs) can't tell the difference, right? Often when I criticize something in India, some bright spark will accuse me of being a Muslim in disguise.

Slavery is a Scourge across the globe and since Eve was a slave to Adam! So let us not try to pretend that Slavery is a bane of one religion,culture, Race or even just a problem of our time. It has existed since Man(purposely using this gender) existed! It is a means to exert Power, Control and most of all as a result of unmitigated Greed( that quintessential American trait, we celebrate everyday) by unscrupulous businessmen, who have an unholy alliance with corrupt politicians who turn a blind eye to this. Thank you CNN for brining this to light. Let us not use this to beat each other up, but reflect on how we can be better people!

Interesting topic and some interesting discussions. Problem is those individuals who seem to think that insults and rudeness can drive their point of view across. NO. Check yourselves out, do you ever listen to the wisdom of an rude person?

in case people hvnt noticed India is going down down DOWN. the government has to do something. do people realize what those slaves go through every single day fr 22 hrs every single day. oh and in the burning hot sun!
doesn't the government realize that they have to do something more than just what they're doing. no offence to India but at the rates its going, i don't think poverty and children s rights will ever mean anything to them. poverty wont stop. India has to do something and quick... or idk where it will end up . 😕

I am happy that so many "well meaning" India loving people are concerned about India. But, I caution you against saying that the country of 1.2 billion people is going down because they have" issues" to address. If anything our Country here, is on the decline, given all it's problems! Here we are not safe at school, work or heck even @ a marothon given the radical islamic terrorists and right wacos amidst us! I love Ireland, but I hope CNN does a story about the Christian Talibans in that country killing a Hindu Woman denying her abortion! Now that is a decadent society! We are going the same way here if the Christian Talibans here take over and criminalize abortion. Every right thinking Citizen should be outraged at the way we treat women as "Baby Factories". Constructive criticism is ok, but looking at the posts here, we are always good at being "Holier than thou"!

well, i didn't mean any offence to any one all im saying is that India has to get its game up. i am actually doing an exhibition in my class and my group is on children's rights. this article is very much related to my topic and i think that India has helped me a lot with my information. as i have been doing research, my group was thinking that we should start an organization dealing with children's rights also to advertise with a blog. if anyone has any ideas, please feel free to contribute? 😉

Its amazing that everyone with a Indian Mentality looks at such things and comes up with obscure solution. The problem is always that a specific trade exists because there is a cheap supply for lots of demand. Can't the business community in India which stores millions of US dollars (black and white) in their mattresses – and i mean even the likes of the tatas, birlas, hindujas and so on, come up with something that comes up with a cheap supply. How is that such machines/ideas always spring up from outside india, even when in most probability an indian has set them in motion. Now that to anyone with a indian mentality should be shameful.

Is there any way to help these children? I just saw an almost identical story by Oral Guerin on kiln workers in Hyderabad, Pakistan. There was one young girl whose brother was too sick to work, just awful.

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